| Sri Vaishnava Seva Samithi |
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In purvashrama, Srimad Andavan was born in the year raudri on the 2nd day of panguni under the star of rohini, March 17, 1921 in the Mazhaiyur village as the son of Paravakkottai Sri Venkatacharya Swami and Smt. Janaki Ammaal. Smt. Janaki Ammaal was the daughter of Puraanam Vidwan Sri Kuppuswami Iyengar Swami. At the time of his birth, the Car Festival (tirutter) was being celebrated at the majestic temple of Sri Rajagopala Swami in Mannargudi. Accordingly, he was named Rajagopalan. Sri Venkatacharya Swami was a pious scholar belonging to Vadhula Gotram and Kandaadai lineage and fashioned his life strictly according to the prescribed rules for a Sri Vaishnava. The family also had a close connection to Srimad Poundarikapuram Ashramam. Sri Venkatacharya had received instruction in Srimad Rahasya Traya Saram at the feet of Poundarikapuram Srimad Andavan himself. His elder brother, Sri Chakravarti Acharya had been performing bhiksha kainkaryam to Srimad Andavan. When Rajagopalan was 2 1/2 years old, his mother attained acharya tiruvadi and two aunts from Thillaiambur came to look after the child. After his upanayana, Sri Rajagopalan was placed under Mannargudi Sri Srinivasa Gopalachariar for Vedic instruction. He later studied Sanskrit poetry under the distinguished Vidwan Peruga Vaazhndaan Sri Krishnamacharya Swami. The boy quickly gained proficiency in Sanskrit under this great teacher. Subsequently, he was admitted into the Sanskrit college at Sholingapuram by Sri A. R. Krishnamacharya Swami who also instructed him in champu literature. Because of the boy's advanced knowledge in Sanskrit, in 1936, he was admitted into the 3rd year class in the Sanskrit College, Tirupati, in which he studied for 6 years. When he returned to Thillaiambur, during the summer holidays, he did not waste a single moment; he used the occasion to study sacred texts under Sri Venkatacharya Swami. Some of his classmates at the Sanskrit College who later became distinguished scholars may be mentioned here -- Purisai Krishnamacharya Swami, the Editor of Nrisimhapriya; Villivalam Narayanacharya Swami, a great scholar and elder brother of the present 45th Azhagiya Singar of Sri Ahobila Matha; and Mylapore Srinivasacharya Swami who later set up the publishing house 'Sarasa Kala Nilayam' solely for the purpose of printing and publishing the works of acharyas. Sri Rajagopalan moved with these persons intimately, true to the saying, "Birds of a feather flock together". Two days before Rajagopalan's father attained the lotus feet of the Lord, he had advised his son to do Vedaanta Kalakshepam under the feet of the Jeeyar of Parakaala Mutt. An obedient son that he was, Sri Rajagopalan went to Mysore and studied under Srimad Abhinava Ranganatha Parakaala Swami such branches of knowledge as Grantha Chatushtayam. Later, he learnt under Deekshachar Swami, Nyaya Siddhanjanam, Tattva Muktaa Kalaapam and Nyaaya Parisuddhi and returned to Thillaiambur in 1947. The Swami Participated in six examinations in Vedantha Sastras conducted by "Vedaanta Desika Vichaara Sadas" under the direction of the Jeeyar of Parakaala Mutt. He also passed the Purva and Uttara parts of our Vedanta in the examination conducted by "Mysore Maharaja Vidwat Pariksha". Later, he entered Grihastaasramam marrying Lakshmi, the eldest daughter of Tiruk Kudanthai Aarupaathi Setlur Sri Srinivasachariar Swami, who was a strict follower of Vaishnava Aachaaram and had done Vedantha Kalakshepam. The couple was blessed with five sons and a daughter. After getting employed as a Sanskrit Pandit at Musiri, Sri Rajagopalachariar Swami used to visit Srirangam in connection with the affairs of the Asramam, which was always uppermost in his mind. On such occasions he would call on Sri Madurantakam Vira Ragahavachariar Swami and cultivate his acquaintance. Whenever he prostrated at the feet of Madurantakam Swami, the latter would do 'Prathivandanam'. Our Swami felt embarrassed and hit up on a plan to stop the 'Prathivandanam'. So, he submitted that that he had not been initiated into Vaisvadevam and requested Madurantakam Swami to initiate him. This done, the Madurantakam Swami had become his Acharyan also and there was no way for him to do 'Prathivandanam' anymore! At the age 59, Sri Rajagopalachariar Swami accompanied by his family proceeded to Kshetraadanam bathing in the Narmada, Ganga, Triveni Confluence and afterwards offered worship at Gaya, Haridwar and Bhadarikasramam. Then he went to Ahobilam where he participated in the 10 days Utsavam of Lord Nrisimha and returned to Musiri. TAKING HOLY ORDER Srimad Vennatrankarai Andavan was keen and anxious to nominate a successor so that the Muni Traya Munirupa tradition could be continued without break in the Acharya line. He used to sound the Srikaryam Sri Rajagopala Iyengar about this and persuaded him to assume the Sannyasa Asrama. One day, on the spur of the moment, he called the Srikaryam and administered Presha Mantram, Prapatti Yogam, Sannyasa Anushtaana Kramam and Ashrama Sweekaara-Kramam. The day before he merged with Jyoti, he called Sri Rajagopala Swami and gave him the ochre robes, (Avakundanam, Jala Pavitram, Sikhyam, Kavacha Vastrams etc.) and staff as well as the keys of the Asramam and commanded that he should assume the role of the Acharya in a year or two. And, for more than a year and a half the Ashramam remained without an Acharya. Owing to the appeal and entreaties of many eminent persons such as the late lamented 44th Jeeyar of Ahobila Mutt, Ubhaya Vedaanta NAVANEETHAM RAMA DESIKA CHARIAR SWAMI, MADURANTAKAM SRI VEERA RAGHAVACHARIAR SWAMI, (Mannargudi M.S. Rangachariar Swami, Vennatrankarai Velaamur Sowriraja Iyengar) and a host of others, the Srikaryam Sri Rajagopala Swami occupied the Peetam of the Acharya in a picturesque ceremony held at Vennar Bank, Thanjavur. The place appropriately chosen for this solemn purpose is twice- blessed. Three of the 108 Divya Desas lie here close to each other; it is the native place of Vennatran Karai Srimad Andavan and the resting place of Veliyanallur Srimad Andavan; it is further sanctified by its association with three of our Purvaacharyas- Sri Nainar Acharya, Brahma Tantra Swatantra Swami and Saakshaat Swami. The Asrama Sweekaranam took place on 20th February 1982, Dwadasi day of Masi month in the cyclic year Dunmathi, when he assumed the new name " SRIMAD GOPALA DESIKA MAHA DESIKAN". On the previous day, on Ekaadasi day, he performed JEEVA SRAADDHA as ANNA SRAADDHA. As many as 16 scholars participated in the Nimantrana like U.V. Madurantakam Vidwan Veeraraghavachariar Swami, Vidwan Villupuram Madhavachariar Swami, AHOBILA MATAM SRIKARYAM SWAMI, PERIYAASRAMAM U.V PADUKAA SWAMI, Vaduvoor Salakshana Ganapaadigal who acted as Brihaspathi, Bangalore Veda Vidwan Swachannam Anantachariar who acted as Brahma. Throughout the night, he kept awake along with others when Madurantakam Swami delivered discourses on Satkatha and Vedantas. NEVER BEFORE IN THE ANNALS OF ANY MATAM OR ASRAMAM WAS SUCH A JEEVASRAADDHAM HAD BEEN PERFORMED. The Parakaala Mutt Swami presented as Hayagriva Prasadam a Kamandalu and Kaashaayam. SRIMAD ANDAVAN'S MANY-SIDED SERVICES TO RELIGION Shortly after taking charge of the Asramam, Srimad Andavan who had spent long and laborious years in "collecting" Vedantic knowledge, was now called upon by the 44th Jeeyer of Ahobila Mutt, to collect big sum of money to meet the expenses for the construction of the 12th tier of the Raja gopuram of Srirangam temple. Undaunted, Srimad Andavan through the active help and cooperation of his disciples like Tirumalaikattam Villankuppam P.A.Ranganatha Tatachariar Swami of Shenoynagar Amuda Mukunda Kalyana Mandapam was able to collect a sum of Rs.3,43,000/- which was presented to Srimad Azhagiya Singhar. Srimad Andavan's devotion to his and our Purvaacharyas is too apparent to need any special mention. He renovated the Brindavanam of Velianallur Sriman Narayana Maha Desikan at Vennar Bank, erecting of four pillared Mantapam and installing the idol of the Acharya. He also raised a compound wall and an iron fence all around the Mandapam. In 1989, the Swami visited Vennatrankarai, where the local host, Sri Sowriraja Iyengar honored him with Poornakumbham and a heavy garland that adorned Neelameghap Perumal. It was a sight for Gods to see! Under Srimad Andavan's direction, Swami Desikar's shrine in East Uttara Street was completely renovated. The Utsava idol of Lord Hayagriva, previously worshipped by one Amma Sathram Seshachariar Swami was handed over to the Asramam by his grandsons on June 13,1990. This idol as well as idols of Ashtabujan and Vaikuntanathan were installed in the shrine. The Asramam building as well as the Pushkarani were renovated at a cost of Rs. 1.5 lakhs. Under the patronage and Presidentship of the Acharya, the " Sat Sampradaaya Samrakshana Sabha"- registered as a Society was founded in 1986 to foster FREE Sanskrit education and offer FREE instruction in the Vedas, Prabhandas and other Grantha Chatushtayams. The Nitya Aradhana plan to provide uninterrupted Aradhana in the Asramam was created with a deposit of Rs.1,000 collected from each disciple. The amount donated under the head has been deposited in the Bank and the accruing interest is being utilized for the administration of the Asramam. A revised edition of Rahasya Traya Sara was published in 1990. Chillarai Rahasyangals of Swami Desika have also been published by the Swami - in three parts. Srimad Andavan has been imparting instruction to the disciples through Kalakshepams. On such occasions, the disciples have highly benefited by Srimad Andavan's approach, his mastery of the subject, the clarity of thought and the ease with which he reduces any complicated concept in philosophy or theology into simple and clear terms." His Tanian reads as follows: Srivaasa Ranga Parakaala Munitrayaabda Lakshmaatma Rakshana Yathitva Yugaaga Maantham Achaarya Bhakthi Pari bhootham Anargha Seelam Gopaala Desika Munim Aasrayaamah Source Material for the write up: [1] Veda malar issued on the occasion of Centenary Celebrations of Vennatrankarai Swami : [2] Saptadi Mahotsava Malar issued on tne occasion of 70th Tirunakshatram Celebrations of Paravaakkottai Swami. |
